Candle melting system

ABSTRACT

A candle melting system includes a candle shaper having a guard that operatively separates a handle from a wax cutting blade is thermally controlled by a heating assembly. The candle melting system also includes a candle mold that includes an outer kiln that is sized to accommodate an inner mold. In some embodiments, the inner mold includes a heat sink positioned near the bottom of the inner mold. The candle mold includes a wick placement assembly configured to hold a wick in place so that wax can be melted around the wick to form a custom candle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/435,531, filed Dec. 20, 2002, the content of which is incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Candles are a popular household item. They may be manufactured in manysizes and shapes and in a variety of colors. Candles may be scented soas to provide a pleasant fragrance while burning. The open flame of acandle produces a soft warming light that is considered pleasant by manypeople. Because candles do not rely on outside energy sources, they areuseful as an alternative lighting source during power outages or othercircumstances when electric lights are not available.

The original shape of a candle changes as it burns. Sometimes the wickis submerged in molten wax. When the molten wax cools, it hardens andthe wick can be lost. As the candle burns, molten wax drippings oftenrun down the sides of a candle onto the surface supporting the candle,thus creating a potential fire hazard. When the molten wax cools, ithardens, leaving candle drippings on the sides of the candle and ahardened wax pool at the candle's base. Sometimes the wax nearest thewick burns too quickly and forms a deep well in the center of thecandle. A thick wall of wax around the edge of the candle is leftunburned and blocks the light produced by the burning wick. Such unevenburning and wax drippings can impact the aesthetics of the candle.

A candle often burns through its wick before all of its wax has beenused. Other times, a candle that still has wick left will have changedform through burning and is no longer desirable. In these and othersimilar situations, there is a substantial amount of candle wax that maygo wasted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a candle shaper.

FIGS. 2-8 show an exemplary embodiment of the candle shaper of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 Is a cross section of an exemplary wax blade for use with acandle shaper.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a candle mold.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wax kiln for use with thecandle mold of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inner mold for use with thecandle mold of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary wick placement assembly for use with thecandle mold of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE

FIG. 1 schematically shows a candle shaper 100 that includes a handle102, hand guard 104, wax blade 106, heating assembly 108, and controlassembly 110. Candle shaper 100 may be variously configured whileremaining within the scope of this disclosure. In particular, the sizeand shape of handle 102, hand guard 104, and wax blade 106 may beconfigured for a particular candle cutting operation. Furthermore,heating assembly 108 may be selected to cooperate with a particular waxblade and handle to sufficiently heat the wax blade while notoverheating the handle. The following description is directed towards anonlimiting example of one such candle shaper.

FIGS. 2-8 show an exemplary candle shaper 100 having a handle 102 in theform of an elongated gripping surface adapted to ergonomically interactwith a human hand. Handle 102 may be shaped to receive a right hand, aleft hand, or alternatively may be symmetrically shaped to receiveeither a right hand or a left hand. Handle 102 may be any suitable shapethat allows gripping, and preferably will be shaped so as to becomfortable and maneuverable within a human hand. Handle 102 may be madefrom plastic, metal, wood, glass, and/or any other suitable material.Preferably, handle 102 is a poor thermal conductor so that heat fromcandle shaper 100 does not transfer from the handle to a hand grippingthe handle. Similarly, handle 102 is preferably well insulated so thatthe transfer of heat from wax blade 106, or other portions of the candleshaper, to a users hand can be minimized.

Hand guard 104 acts as a physical barrier between handle 102 and waxblade 106. In the illustrated embodiment, hand guard 104 extendsdownwardly from an interface between handle 102 and wax blade 106. Handguard 104 may be any shape that effectively protects a users hand. Handguard 104 can protect a hand from touching the heated portions of thecandle shaper and/or molten wax. In some embodiments, the hand guard maycurve away from the handle, so as to offer a path for melted wax to flowaway from the users hand. The hand guard may be made from any suitablematerial including metal, glass, and/or plastic. Hand guard 104preferably has a high melting temperature so that its physicalcharacteristics will not be affected by operation of candle shaper 100.Hand guard 104 also preferably is well insulated and a poor thermalconductor so as to protect a users hand.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a protecting portion 120 of the handguard extends downwardly from a connection portion 122 of the handguard. As illustrated in FIG. 2, candle shaper 100 can be securelyplaced on a surface S. Handle 102 and hand guard 104 provide a stablebase for setting the candle shaper in a seated position. Handle 102includes a contact portion 124, which contacts surface S when the candleshaper is in a seated position. Hand guard 104 includes a left foot 126and a right foot 128, providing discrete contacts when the candle shaperis in a seated position. In other words, candle shaper 100 can be placedon a surface so that contacting portion 124, and feet 126 and 128effectively act as a tripod for the candle shaper.

Candle shaper 100 can be configured so that wax blade 106 Is held abovesurface S when the candle shaper Is in a seated position. The size andshape of hand guard 104 can be designed to hold the wax blade a desireddistance above the surface. In the illustrated embodiment, hand guard104 has a concave curvature with reference to wax blade 106. Thecurvature of the hand guard increases the distance between feet 126 and128 relative to contacting portion 124. Furthermore, the curvatureeffectively places feet 126 and 128 farther in front of the candleshaper's center of mass, so that the wax blade is more securely heldabove surface S. In other words, the curvature of hand guard 104stabilizes the candle shaper in a seated position. The forward placementof feet 126 and 128 helps prevent wax blade 106 from tipping forward outof a seated position.

As best shown in FIG. 7, a connection portion 122 of the hand guardgenerally follows the profile of the upper portion of the handle. Such aconfiguration does not obstruct a user's view of wax blade 106. In someembodiments, the hand guard may extend upwardly from connection portion122, providing more separation between a user's hand and wax blade 106.To limit visual obstruction, in some embodiments an upwardly extendingportion of hand guard 104 may be at least partially transparent, so thewax blade can be seen through the hand guard. The illustrated hand guardis approximately the same width as handle 102. In some embodiments, thehand guard may be differently sized. For example, a relatively widerhandle may be used to widen support provided by feet 126 and 128.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the hand guard includes a reference edge 130that is configured for positioning against surface S. In the illustratedembodiment, reference edge 130 includes the above described feet 126 and128. The reference edge can be used to position the blade at a fixedcutting angle relative to the surface. For example, a reference edge canbe configured to position the wax blade perpendicular to a cuttingsurface on which a candle is placed, thereby facilitating controlledcuts through the candle. In this manner, the reference edge may be usedas a fulcrum, and the wax blade may cut through at least a portion of acandle while the reference edge remains contacting surface S. Thecontinuous contact between surface S and the reference edge ensures thatthe wax blade keeps a fixed cutting angle. In some embodiments, thecandle shaper may be configured to cooperate with a cutting jig, whichcan be used to hold the candle still during the cutting process.

Wax blade 106 may be thermally controlled by a heating assembly thatconverts external energy into thermal energy that is transferred to thewax blade. The heating assembly 108 can include an electricallyconductive component that receives a standard alternating current. Thecurrent can run through the electrically conductive component, such asan electrically-conductive coiled wire (resistor), thus emitting thermalenergy from the component. In some embodiments, the heating assembly mayinclude a mica heater. Ideally, the heating assembly efficientlytransfers the thermal energy to wax blade 106.

The heating assembly may convert alternating current, direct current, orother forms of energy into thermal energy. For example, the heatingassembly may receive energy from an electrical outlet via a power cord.For example, a “swivel cord” 112 that is moveably connected to thehandle 102 may be used to deliver alternating current to the heatingassembly. In such embodiments, the heating assembly may include atransformer for converting alternating current into direct current. Insome embodiments, the heating assembly may receive energy from one ormore direct current batteries. The heating assembly, or a portionthereof, can be positioned within handle 102 and/or wax blade 106. Aportion of the heating assembly can be located between hand guard 104and wax blade 106. In some embodiments, the heating assembly can beconfigured as a thermally conductive holster in which candle shaper 100may be placed and heated.

Candle shaper 100 includes a control assembly 110, which is used to setthe temperature of wax blade 106. In some embodiments, control assembly110 may include a switch that can turn the heating assembly on and off.In some embodiments, control assembly 110 may include a variabletemperature selector, that can set the wax blade at one of a pluralityof different temperatures. The control assembly may also include astatus indicator 132, which can visually and/or audibly provideinformation corresponding to the temperature of the blade and/or thestate of the heating assembly. For example, a light may indicate thatthe heating assembly is on. In some embodiments, a light and/or a soundmay be used to indicate that the blade has reached a desiredtemperature.

Wax blade 106 can be used to shape candles. It receives thermal energyfrom a heating assembly and transfers the thermal energy to the candlewax. The candle wax becomes temporarily molten and may be manipulatedwith wax blade 106. Wax blade 106 can be constructed from a thermallyconductive metal, such as aluminum. Wax blade 106 may alternatively bemade from other suitable materials. The wax blade may include a nonstick substrate and/or coating.

It is understood that the shape and size of wax blade 106 may be setaccording to desired candle shaping characteristics. In the illustratedembodiment, candle shaper 100 has a fixed wax blade 106. In analternative embodiment, candle shaper 100 may be adapted to selectivelyreceive one of a plurality of interchangeable wax blades that may beindividually designed for a particular wax shaping characteristic.

Wax blade 106 may be an elongated member having a cross section designedto efficiently cut through a candle. FIG. 9 is a cross-section view ofwax blade 106. Unlike many knives or other cutting instruments thatutilize a finely sharpened blade to slice, or a serrated blade to saw,wax blade 106 utilizes heat to melt. The wax blade can be used to pushthrough melted wax, effectively cutting the temporarily molten wax.However, melted wax eventually cools and solidifies. To limit melted waxfrom reforming in a contiguous mass behind wax blade 106, the wax blademay be shaped so as to produce a more substantial kerf, or otherwisekeep separated candle portions from rejoining.

As shown In FIG. 9 with reference to a cutting direction C, wax blade106 includes a front portion 134 and a back portion 136. The frontportion includes a blunt cutting edge 138, that is configured to firstcontact a candle. The blunt cutting edge does not come to a sharp edge,such as many traditional knives. In fact, the cutting edge ischaracterized by a slightly curved profile. The front portion alsoincludes tapered sidewalls 140 extending back from the cutting edge. Thethickness of the wax blade increases from front to back along the lengthof the tapered sidewalls. The back portion of the blade includessubstantially parallel sidewalls 142 extending back from the taperedsidewalls. The parallel sidewalls are spaced a width D. The back portionof the blade also includes a trailing edge 144 that is substantiallyperpendicular to the parallel sidewalls.

The cutting edge portion of wax blade 106 is narrower than the backportion of the blade. A relatively narrow cutting edge allows cuts to beaccurately initiated. The width of the blade increases from front toback, effectively increasing the kerf of the blade. As mentioned above,a relatively wide kerf can facilitate cutting a candle into separatepieces that do not immediately rejoin as a common piece after the bladehas made the cut. For example, a blade can be constructed with a widthof approximately 1/16 inch to ¼ inch, or another suitable width thatproduces a kerf substantial enough to effectively separate a candle intotwo or more pieces.

The above described and illustrated wax blade is provided as anonlimiting example. In other embodiments, the wax blade may be longer,shorter, wider, narrower, or a completely different geometry. Forexample, it should be understood that cylindrical blades that come to apoint, cylindrical blades with a blunt end, knifelike blades, triangularblades, and blades of numerous other geometries can be independentlyuseful for different wax shaping tasks. It should also be understoodthat wax blades designed to leave an ornamental or functional design onthe wax may be used.

A candle shaper may be used to sculpt custom candles, cut candles to adesired size, or otherwise cut candles or other meltable items. Forexample, a candle shaper may be used to retrieve a wick lost within acandle. To this end, wax blade 106 can be heated by heating assembly108. The heated blade can be used to cut off the top of the candle sothat the previously engulfed wick is exposed. The wax that is cut awayfrom the rest of the candle may be saved for recycling.

FIG. 10 schematically shows a candle mold 200 configured to melt piecesof wax into a candle. The candle mold can be used to melt recycledpieces of unused wax that have been left over from other candles and/ornew pieces of wax may be used to form custom candles. For example, waxhaving desired colors, scents, and/or textures can be purchased orrecycled from other candles to form a new custom candle. Pieces of waxcan be placed into the mold and heated to a molten state. The liquid waxtakes the shape of the mold and then can be cooled to a solid state.Furthermore, candle decorations such as glitter and cinnamon sticks canbe added to further customize the candle design. The new candle may thenbe removed from the mold.

Candle mold 200 may include an outer wax kiln 202 and a removable innermold 204. The candle mold may also include a heating assembly 208 forheating wax within the mold. A control assembly 211 may be used tocontrol operation of the heating assembly. The candle mold may alsoinclude a wick placement assembly 206 configured to hold a wick in placewhile wax is melted and solidified around the wick. In this manner, afully functional custom candle may be formed.

The candle mold may be variously configured while remaining within thescope of this disclosure. In particular, the size and shape of the waxkiln, inner mold, and wick placement assembly may be configured for aparticular candle molding operation. Furthermore, heating assembly 108may be selected to cooperate with a particular wax kiln and inner moldto sufficiently heat wax within the mold while not overheating an outersurface of the candle mold. The following description is directedtowards a nonlimiting example of one such candle mold.

FIG. 11 shows candle mold 200, which can be configured with an outer waxkiln 202 that is shaped similar to a pitcher, or other apparatusconfigured for pouring. To this end, the wax kiln can include a handle209 and/or a spout 210. In other embodiments, the melting device may beconfigured with different shapes and/or sizes. Wax may be melteddirectly in the wax kiln, and molten wax may then be poured from the waxkiln to an auxiliary mold, where the wax can solidify into the shape ofthat mold. Wax may also be poured onto or into other objects, thusproviding great flexibility in creating custom candles and/or waxfigures.

Wax kiln 202 can be configured with an outer body that is a poor thermalconductor. The wax kiln can be constructed from a material suited towithstand multiple heatings and coolings. For example, wax kiln 202 canbe constructed from approximately ¼ inch ceramic material. It isunderstood that wax kiln 202 may be uniformly constructed from a singlematerial or may alternatively be constructed from a plurality ofmaterials. For instance, in some embodiments, a wax kiln may beconstructed from a metallic inner surface, an insulating core, and ametallic or plastic outer surface.

The candle mold may include a heating assembly that is configured tomelt wax within the candle mold. The heating assembly is used to convertexternal energy into thermal energy. The thermal energy can betransferred to wax held within the candle mold, thereby promoting theheating and melting of the wax. The heating assembly may be any suitabledevice capable of producing enough heat to melt wax held within thecandle mold. For example, the heating assembly may include a hot platethat is positioned near the base of the candle mold. As another example,the heating assembly may include a mica heater that includes a coiledheating wire that is positioned along sidewalls of the candle mold. Theheating assembly may be powered by alternating current, which can bedelivered via a power cord. The heating assembly may be thermallyregulated by a thermostat or similar mechanism so that wax will not beoverheated and combust, dangers present in other candle forming methods.

The candle mold may include a control assembly configured to controloperation of the mold. In some embodiments, the control assembly mayinclude a simple on/off switch. In some embodiments, the controlassembly may facilitate a greater level of control. For example, thecontrol assembly can include a dial capable of selecting one of threeselectable operating states: off, melt wax, and cool down. In someembodiments, a control assembly may be configured to allow selection ofa particular temperature in a range of temperatures. In someembodiments, the melting device may include two or more controls, suchas a switch used to select a general operating state (i.e. on or off),and a dial to select an operating temperature or a period of operation.

The candle mold may include a lid 212. The lid can be configured to sealthe candle mold, thereby preventing unwanted items from entering thecandle mold, such as dust. The lid protects unwanted items fromundesirably mixing with melted wax. The lid may be constructed from thesame material as wax kiln 202 or another suitable material.

FIG. 12 shows an inner mold 204 that is adapted to be placed in wax kiln202. The inner mold is shaped to closely fit within the wax kiln. Aclose fit facilitates the transfer of heat from the wax kiln to theinner mold, which in turn facilitates efficient melting of wax withinthe mold. The inner mold may also include a heat sink 214, which can beused to promote thermal transfer. For example, the heat sink mayfacilitate transferring heat from a heating assembly to the inner moldwhen the inner mold is in the wax kiln and/or transferring heat from theinner mold to an ambient atmosphere when the heating assembly is turnedoff and/or the inner mold is removed from the wax kiln. In particular,the heat sink can be used to effectively drain heat away from the bottomof the mold. This can be useful in maintaining a more balancedtemperature from the top of the mold to the bottom of the mold. If thetop of the mold were allowed to cool substantially faster than thebottom of the mold, the resulting candle may form with a well, whichwould have to be back filled. Heat sink 214 may be constructed fromaluminum or a similar highly thermally conductive material. Asillustrated, the heat sink can include a highly irregular surfaceincluding a plurality of fins, so as to increase surface area withoutincreasing total volume. Increased surface area can improve the abilityof the heat sink to dissipate heat away from the inner mold. The heatsink may be spot welded to the inner mold in some embodiments.

The shape of the inner mold determines the shape of candles made in theinner mold. Wax can be placed in the inner mold and heated to a moltenstate. The molten wax is contained by the inner mold, and when the waxis allowed to cool and harden, its shape corresponds to the shape of theinner mold. The candle mold may be adapted to use an inner mold of oneparticular dimension, or the candle mold may be capable of using avariety of inner molds that form candles of different sizes and/orshapes. Inner mold 204 may be constructed from any suitable materialincluding aluminum.

Although shown as a cylindrical inner mold, it should be understood thatinner molds of virtually any geometry may be used. The outer profile ofan inner mold may be configured to fit within the inner profile of a waxkiln. Accordingly, the inner mold may take on a variety of differentshapes, depending on a selected configuration of the wax kiln.Furthermore, a cavity of the inner mold can be shaped to produce adesired shape of candle. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity isgenerally cylindrically shaped. However, the inner mold may beconfigured with different shapes. In some embodiments, two or more innermolds having different cavity shapes may be used with the same wax kiln,thereby providing a selection of desired candle shapes.

An inner mold may be configured with a substantially unchangeable sizeand shape, or the inner mold may be configured with one or more moveableparts that facilitate adjusting the size and/or shape of the mold. Forexample, an inner mold may include a hinge, so that the inner mold canbe effectively opened, thereby facilitating extraction of a formedcandle. The inner mold can be configured with a tension release, whichallows the diameter of the inner mold to slightly flex, therebyfacilitating extraction of a formed candle.

As shown in FIG. 12, the inner mold may include handles 220, whichfacilitate the insertion and/or removal of the inner mold relative tothe wax kiln. Handles 220 may be constructed from a poor thermalconductor, such as plastic, so that heat from the inner mold is nottransferred to the hands of a user. Handles 220 may additionally oralternatively be at least partially thermally insulated from the innermold. For example, contact area between the handles and the inner moldmay be minimized, so as to limit thermally conductive paths throughwhich heat can flow. As another example, a poor thermal conductor may bepositioned between the handle and the inner mold, so that heat transferis decreased. In some embodiments, the handles may be spot welded to theinner mold. Handles 220 may be larger than the opening of the wax kilnand may be positioned on the inner mold so as to rest adjacent theopening of the wax kiln. In some embodiments, the inner mold and handlescan be configured so that the handles support at least some of theweight of the inner mold when the inner mold is placed in the wax kiln.

As shown in FIG. 13, the candle mold can include a wick placementassembly 206 configured to position a candle wick 216 so that melted waxmay form around the wick. In the illustrated embodiment, the wickplacement assembly includes two wick securing mechanisms positioned onopposite ends of the inner mold. At the bottom of the mold, which cancorrespond to the top of the candle in some embodiments, is a first wicksecuring mechanism 230. Wick securing mechanism 230 includes a channel232 sized to receive wick 216. The wick securing mechanism also includesa plug 234 that is sized to seal channel 232, and may at the same timehold the wick within the channel. In some embodiments, the channel andthe plug may be configured with complementary threads, so that the plugcan be screwed into the channel, which can help the plug effectivelyhold the wick between the plug and the channel wall. The wick securingmechanism may include a washer or other additional structure to improvethe sealing function of the plug, and thereby limit undesired leaking ofwax through the channel.

In some embodiments, a candle mold may Include a spare wick loom. Forexample, a spare wick loom may be located in a base of the candle mold.The spare wick loom can include a length of candle wick that may be usedin newly formed candles. In some embodiments, a loom cover may be placedover the spare wick loom, thus sealing the spare loom from molten waxduring candle forming. The loom cover can be configured with a holeadapted to allow an end of candle wick to be passed into the meltingchamber of the candle mold, via channel 232 for example. The spare wickloom can be configured to allow a candle wick to be easily pulled intothe melting chamber. The spare wick loom may rest at the bottom of thewax kiln, may be spun around a mechanical reel that assists with wickdispersal, or may alternatively use any other adequate wick deliverymechanism.

At the top of the mold is a second wick securing mechanism 240 thatincludes a bridge 242 that effectively spans the opening of the innermold. The bridge may be configured to be easily moved into positionacross the top of the inner mold. In some embodiments, the bridge mayhinge from one side of the mold. In some embodiments, the bridge may becompletely removable from the inner mold. The wick securing mechanismcan be configured with a wick guide 244 aligned above channel 232. Wick216 can be thread through wick guide 244 so that it is positioned in adesired position, such as running coaxial with a longitudinal axis ofthe inner mold. Wick securing mechanism 240 may also include a fastener246, such as a spring clip that can hold the wick tightly against thebridge, or another suitable arrangement that allows the wick to be heldtaut. The above description is directed to a candle mold that isdesigned to form candles having a single wick. It should be understoodthat the design may be modified to accommodate the formation of candleshaving more than one wick.

The above described candle mold may be used to form custom candles. Forexample, a wick may be secured in place, such as by passing a wickthrough channel 232, through the melting chamber, and into a fastenedposition at bridge 242. Plug 234 can be put in position to seal thebottom of the mold, and the bottom of the wick can be cut to proper sizeif it is too long. Portions of wax stock can be put in the inner moldand the wax kiln can be used to heat the wax and form a new candle.Additional wax may be added as the wax melts, such as to compensate fordead space that may exist between pieces of wax before they melt. Afterthe wax is melted, the wax may be allowed to cool. The plug may then beremoved to release the wick at the bottom of the mold, and the wick canbe cut or otherwise unattached from the bridge. The bridge can then bemoved out of the way, and the candle can be removed from the mold. Tofacilitate extracting the candle from the mold, the inside walls of theinner mold may be a non stick surface, such as aluminum. Furthermore, anonflammable lubricant can be applied to the walls to achieve increasedlubrication.

The candle mold may be constructed from a combination of materials. Insome embodiments, the candle mold includes a metallic inner surface orsimilar surface configured to efficiently conduct heat. Likewise, themelting device may include an outer surface made from ceramic, oranother material configured to insulate thermal transfer. The meltingdevice may internally house a heating assembly adapted to heat the innersurface of the melting device, which conducts heat to the wax to meltthe wax.

Although the present disclosure has been provided with reference to theforegoing operational principles and embodiments, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appendedclaims. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications and variances. Where the disclosure orclaims recite “a,” “a first,” or “another” element, or the equivalentthereof, they should be interpreted to include one or more suchelements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

1. A wax cutting device, comprising: a thermally conductive blade; ahandle connected to the blade, wherein the handle is thermally insulatedfrom the blade; a heating assembly configured to selectively control atemperature of the blade; and a guard operatively separating the bladeand the handle.
 2. The wax cutting device of claim 1, wherein the bladeincludes a blunt cutting edge.
 3. The wax cutting device of claim 2,wherein the blade includes a back portion that is wider than the bluntcutting edge.
 4. The wax cutting device of claim 3, wherein the backportion includes substantially parallel sides.
 5. The wax cutting deviceof claim 3, wherein the back portion is at least 1/16 inch wide.
 6. Thewax cutting device of claim 1, wherein the blade has a cutting kerf ofat least 1/16 inch.
 7. The wax cutting device of claim 1, wherein theblade includes a stick-resistant surface.
 8. The wax cutting device ofclaim 1, wherein a surface of the blade includes aluminum.
 9. The waxcutting device of claim 1, further comprising an alternating currentpower supply configured to deliver energy to the heating assembly. 10.The wax cutting device of claim 9, further comprising a swivel cordconfigured to deliver alternating current to the alternating currentpower supply.
 11. The wax cutting device of claim 1, wherein the waxcutting device further includes a direct current power supply configuredto deliver energy to the heating assembly.
 12. The wax cutting device ofclaim 11, wherein the direct current power supply includes a battery.13. The wax cutting device of claim 1, wherein the heating assemblyincludes a mica heater.
 14. The wax cutting device of claim 1, whereinthe guard includes a reference edge configured for positioning against asurface for orientating the blade perpendicular to the surface.
 15. Thewax cutting device of claim 1, wherein the guard has a concave curvaturewith reference to the blade.
 16. The wax cutting device of claim 1,wherein the guard and handle are collectively configured to elevate theblade from a surface supporting the wax cutting device.
 17. The waxcutting device of claim 1, wherein the guard includes a plurality offeet configured to cooperate with a portion of the handle to support thewax cutting device in a seated position on a surface.
 18. A candleforming device, comprising: an outer kiln that includes a chamber; aninner mold having a bottom and an open top, wherein the inner mold issized for selective placement into and out of the chamber of the outerkiln; a heating assembly configured to thermally regulate the chamber ofthe outer kiln and thereby thermally regulate the inner mold via thermalconduction between the chamber and the inner mold; a wick placementassembly configured to hold a wick in place between the open top and thebottom of the inner mold.
 19. The candle forming device of claim 18,further comprising a heat sink positioned near a bottom portion of theinner mold.
 20. The candle forming device of claim 18, furthercomprising handles positioned near a top portion of the inner mold,wherein the handles are configured to facilitate placing the inner moldinto and out of the chamber of the outer kiln.
 21. The candle formingdevice of claim 18, further comprising a lid for selectively sealing theinner mold and the wick placement assembly within the outer kiln. 22.The candle forming device of claim 18, wherein the wax cutting devicefurther includes an alternating current power supply configured todeliver energy to the heating assembly.